Local student focuses on 'Relay for Life'
By Mary Pritchard Contributing Writer

Sam Sahl, of Shrewsbury, works on a calendar raffle that was part of Shrewsbury High School's fund-raising for the local Relay for Life. PHOTO/MARY PRITCHARD

Shrewsbury - At age 11, Sam Sahl didn't understand what cancer was and why people at her summer camp were so sad. Staff and campers had heard that her camp counselor from the previous year, Todd Schwartz, was fighting cancer and was not doing well.

"I was so confused," Sahl said. "I didn't understand how someone so strong and full of life could fall victim to such a terrible disease."

Schwartz, Sahl's counselor and "childhood hero," lost his battle with cancer Continued from front page in 2002, at 19.

"Todd was strong, young, handsome and loved by everyone," Sahl said. "I remember feeling a collective sense of helplessness with my friends at camp … feeling like there was nothing we could do about what was happening to Todd."

Sahl's tie to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life began when she joined a team that was organized in honor of Schwartz in Framingham/Natick. She was in the eighth grade and brought a jar to school to collect donations at lunch. She raised $500.

When the Relay for Life came to Shrewsbury in 2004, Sahl had more of an understanding of cancer and how it aff ects families, as her grandmother had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer that same year. Sahl's commitment to fighting cancer was even more personal.

"My mom and I took positions in our town's Relay for Life Board of Directors and I decided to bring the Relay to my high school," she said. "I could not have asked for more support as I ended up leading 75 students to the Relay."

Sahl's devotion to the Relay has grown each year. Last year, as a junior, she officially became the Shrewsbury High School (SHS) liaison. While still leading her own team, she also supported team captains from SHS. Eight SHS teams raised almost $10,000.

" Sahl, currently in her senior year, continues to increase her involvement in the Relay as youth liaison, entertainment chair, and co-chair of luminaria sales and ceremony, as well as continuing her role as a team captain.

So far this year, SHS has 13 teams, including one teacher team, and their goal is to raise $15,000. A calendar raffle, organized by Sahl and her friend Catherine Hewlett, kicked off the SHS fund-raising and brought in $1,000.

"When I walked in my first Relay, I was doing it to help," Sahl said. "I still didn't understand, but being together helped all of us … After the diagnosis of my grandmother [who lost her battle in January], it became more real. The more you understand, the less you understand … and there is more of a reason to be involved."

The Relay for Life of Shrewsbury will be held at Oak Middle School from 6 p.m. Friday May 16 to noon Saturday May 17. The community is encouraged to attend and enjoy the family activities and entertainment, much of which will be provided by Shrewsbury residents and also will include a performance by Chuck & Mudd.

Relay for Life events are also scheduled in Westborough, Northborough, Worcester and Auburn between April and September. For more information about Relay for Life, including dates and locations of all area events, visit www.cancer.org.